Flying out of Heathrow T3 soon, I have access to Emirates' lounge as well as BA's First lounge.

10 replies

trevor

Member since 22 Jun 2013

Total posts 90

Flying out of Heathrow T3 soon, I have access to Emirates' lounge as well as BA's First lounge. Which one is better? Bearing in mind that food and wine/bubbly are highest on my list of priorities... Many thanks

Phil Young

Qantas

Member since 22 Oct 2012

Total posts 252

BA's First lounge is fairly good, but I haven't been to the Emirates' lounge yet.  If you go to the BA F lounge, don't bother with their Dining Room, for their menu is only a subset of the food available in the self-serve area.  The wine selection is pretty good, though sometimes their white wines and champagnes are chilled, but sometimes barely cool.

If you've got access to both, and enough time, then plan on visiting both.  If you are flying QF2, then you can check-in 5 hrs before the flight.

TheRealBabushka

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

Trevor,

Which airline are you flying with, which allows you access to both BA and EK lounges?

trevor

Member since 22 Jun 2013

Total posts 90

Good idea, Phil. Thanks.

TheRealBabushka, I am travelling on a QF flight number but the flight is EK operated.

driley28

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 07 May 2012

Total posts 299

You will need to use the EK lounge, as to access the BA lounge you need to fly on a flight that is marketed and operated by a Oneworld carrier.  EK flight does not mean these requirements.

TheRealBabushka

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

Agreed. This is one of the things about the QF EK relationship that has very quietly been allowed to let slip.

So since you're flying on EK metal, you can only use the EK lounge.

If you're flying QF metal then you can use the BA, AA, CX lounges on account of your OW Emerald status.

edy4eva

Member since 11 Mar 2012

Total posts 115

I have used both at LHR, though been to CCR in T5 rather than Galleries F in T3. EK is superior in terms of food quality and drinks selection.

Like others have mentioned you'll be restricted to using EK's since access to other OW lounges (including BA) requires that the flight be marketed AND operated by a OW carrier.

cdinoz

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Sep 2012

Total posts 12

BA Galleries First at Heathrow T3 is a fairly dull place. 

I headed there last Tuesday, where the white wine and bottled water chillers were both not working. White wine and sparkling water at room temp. The staff on site tried telling me that the chillers were working. I am just assuming they think their passengers are all stupid and cannot tell the difference between cold and warm.

Loaded ice cubes in the wine and water!

The food was rather bland and average. Service for a First lounge was non existant. I flew QF2, and apparently they shovel there passengers to the BA Lounge instead of the EK Lounge. 

Very poor.

crosscourt

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge

Member since 01 Sep 2011

Total posts 96

Don't even consider the EK lounge. It is very poor.

edy4eva

Member since 11 Mar 2012

Total posts 115

trevor has no choice but to 'rough it up' at the EK lounge since he's flying with EK.

Not sure how you consider the EK lounge at LHR very poor. It may be a bit out of date considering the new lounges in DXB but it's up there in terms of food and beverage offerings with adequate seating area. It offers direct boarding from the lounge. Wifi works, plenty of reading materials. The showers are clean and offer good amenities. What's there to complain about to be called VERY POOR?!

crosscourt

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge

Member since 01 Sep 2011

Total posts 96

the place was a zoo, crowded, not smart looking, uncomfortable. i walked in last month and turned around and walked straight back out and went back to the BA 1st lounge. im not the only one who feels it is very poor.

Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Flying out of Heathrow T3 soon, I have access to Emirates' lounge as well as BA's First lounge.

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